While fruits and vegetables are undeniably good for the body, they’re also a major boost for Alabama’s economy, according to a new study.
Auburn University and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station economists found this out in a recently completed analysis of the industry.
“Specialty crops is definitely a potential growth area for Alabama,” said Deacue Fields, chair of the College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology and study leader.
The latest analysis showed that the fruit, vegetable, and tree nut industry has a significant impact on Alabama’s economy, with a total output of $161.5 million, value-added production of $103.6 million, the creation of 1,121 jobs and indirect business taxes of $2 million.
The total economic impact captures the industry’s ripple effect, too, revealing the following:
The fruit, vegetable and tree nut industry generates additional 0.5 dollars in the state economy per dollar of output. On average, fruit and tree nut production generates over 17 jobs per $1 million in direct sales.
On average, vegetable and melon production generates eight jobs per $1 million in direct sales.
Processed fruits and vegetables generate two additional jobs for each job within its own industry. Production and processing of fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts are important to both state and national agricultural and manufacturing industries.
source: wtvm.com
